Smoltz To Start

Braves manager Bobby Cox has chosen to flip-flop his starters, giving ace John Smoltz his first start of the year against the Mets in Sunday afternoon’s ballgame.

Cox claims he wants Smoltz — who has been suffering from tightness in the back of his shoulder all spring — to make his first start in warm, balmy Atlanta rather than in chilly Colorado on Monday.

Yeah, right. Whatever, dude. I’m sure it has nothing to do with Johan Santana starting for the Mets, and that the Mets’ lineup is certain to wake up against the soft tossing of Tommy Glavine.